Blawearie

Another place that necessitates a few more visits, as this is a place bursting with features of geographical, geological and historical interest.  We started the walk with a steep uphill climb, to be rewarded with the above view of the Cheviots topped with soft, fluffy clouds.  There is snow just visible on the highest of the hills, Hedgehope.  From here we walked across to a well-positioned hill fort, from which you could see for miles in all directions, and explored a WW2 pillbox, which again afforded fantastic views, but is somewhat inexplicable, as it's hard to imagine why anybody would have targeted this area in the war!

As we proceeded into the next valley, we came across some stones bearing cup and ring marks - a form of prehistoric rock art whose purpose is unknown.  Apparently there is a prehistoric burial site not far from here where much more rock art can be seen, which I definitely want to go back and visit.  I've also read that artefacts found at the site can now be seen in the Great North Museum, so it looks like I'm due a visit there fairly soon!

Walking through the valley, Robin told me that he thought of this area as a hidden valley or hidden landscape, as it's completely hidden from any roads, and therefore only accessible on foot.  We had the area completely to ourselves - other than the odd sheep - and it did feel as though we were miles from modern civilisation.  There is a strange juxtaposition between the desolate nature of this place today, and the signs of ancient civilisations that have been found here.  Clearly, this place has not always been hidden. 

My research on Blawearie so far has thrown up a couple of interesting findings for future work: first, a recording of a tune named Blawearie by the group Ushna on their album 'Twice Brewed', and a song about Blawearie, sung by Scocha - (somewhat incomprehensible) lyrics below:

The Hill Abin Blawearie                                              

A'd bide a day bit niver stay,
Ower mony times tae mention.
And maybees A’ neglecteed you,
Which wasnae ma intention.
Though oo've been apairt a while again,
Though oo'r gei tei’rd n' teary,
What's ne'er been lost can aye be fund,
On the hill abin Blawearie.

Now a'm no yin for floory talk,
Or prone ti airs n' graces.
A'll no pretend ti suffer fools,
A’ say it ti their faces.
But when it comes ti lovin' you,
There's ne’er a soul mair cheery.
Words dinna maiter ony mair
On the hill abin Blawearie.

Oo’ve traivelled fer in mony wei’s,
Hed oor saiprait journies.
N’ though they seemed the wei ti gaun,
Whiles a’ hink they wurnae.
For a’ the roads thit oo’ve been doon,
A’ hev anither theory –
However long they aw lead tae,
The hill abin Blawearie.

So take us ti the higher grund
On the hill abin Blawearie.
It's heaven's gate wi' heather crooned,
The hill abin Blawearie.
In a' the wurld there's ne'er a place,
For mei ti feel sae near ee.
Ever mair ti yow a’m bound,
On the hill abin Blawearie.